ARUSHA, Tanzania/GENEVA, 26 June 2008 (LWI) - On the eve of the scheduled presidential run-off election in Zimbabwe on 27 June, the Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has called for the urgent establishment of a peace building process in the country, incorporating all national actors, regional organizations and the international community.

In a 26 June Public Statement, the Council urged the international community to exercise its legitimate role in addressing the crisis in the country.

"The world must not stand idly by, as it did during the genocide in Rwanda, and watch the unfolding of a human catastrophe," stated the Council. The LWF governing body is meeting 25-30 June in Arusha, northern Tanzania, hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.

The Council pointed out that the result of any presidential run-off election conducted under the current circumstances should not be recognized by the international community.

It especially denounced the systematic, organized, politically-motivated intimidation and violence whereby the current government has sought to retain power.

The LWF Council members said attacks on Zimbabweans for exercising their right of democratic choice were directly contrary to the purpose of the country's struggle for liberation from colonial rule.

They noted that the conditions under which the 29 March first round of elections were conducted were far from ideal and had already demonstrated that the current government had lost the trust and support of Zimbabweans.

The Council members especially welcomed the rising expression of concern from African political, religious and community leaders. They however called on the Southern African Development Community, African Union, and all African leaders, to take a more active role in promoting human security in Zimbabwe and encouraging a political transition back to the democracy.